Sharon Willoughby-Blake, mother of animal chiropractic
Dr. Sharon Lee Willoughby-Blake, DVM, D.C., 63, died Nov. 10, 2010, at her Palmer residence from complications of cancer.
Sharon was born Dec. 1, 1946, in Battle Creek, Mich., to Sammy and Edna Willoughby.
She graduated from Michigan State University in 1970 with a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree and later with a Doctor of Chiropractic in 1986 from Palmer College of Chiropractic in Davenport, Iowa. In 1986, Sharon founded Options for Animals, a college of animal chiropractics in Illinois. She was a founding member of Sindorf Equestrian Educational Center. As a lifetime member of ACVA, Sharon received the First Annual AVCA Animal Chiropractor of the year award in 2000. Other awards that Sharon received were Distinguished Veterinary Alumnus Award in 2001 from Michigan State University, Large Animal Clinic Award 1970 from Michigan State University, and Professor of the Year in 1989 from Palmer College of Chiropractic.
Sharon enjoyed spending time with and loving Truman, family, friends, all animals, building minature dollhouses and teaching.
Her family said, "All of the animals are lining up in Heaven: Dr. Sharon is in."
She is survived by her husband, Truman Blake of Palmer; son, Jason Jakubas of Michigan; father, Sammy Willoughby of Michigan; brother, Keith Willoughby of Florida; and sister, Jan Eccles of Michigan.
In addition to her mother, Edna Mae Leeth, Sharon was preceded in death by her grandfather, Francis Conway; and grandmother, Ruby Conway.
Arrangements are with Alaskan Heritage Memorial Chapel & Crematory of Wasilla.
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